Penny Allport is a creative explorer in the journey of what it means to be human on planet earth. After her back was broken in a car accident in her late teens, Penny began an inquiry into what movement is, what the body is and what it means to be embodied and alive in this experience we call human life.

Penny entered the fitness movement through aerobics and weight training, the models for movement at that time, and in the early eighties, due to her own challenges, created innovative low-impact aerobics classes. The direct experience of excessive repetitive styles of movement; coupled with disordered eating led to a growing discontent with the body and life.

Called to move to the West Coast and re-dream her life, Penny began to listen to and act on her own inner guidance, which lead her to study with many mavericks in the human potential movement.

Penny was introduced to the exploration of Yoga with Sandra Sammartino and later with Joseph Lepage, from whom she received certification and accreditation in Yoga Teaching and Yoga Therapy. Penny owned and operated a highly successful Inspirational Bookstore and Yoga Studio for seventeen years. During this time she created gatherings, Healing Circles, Rites of Passage for women from aged thirteen to eighty and facilitated hundreds of women in exploring and opening to their innate wisdom. Penny credits the young women who arrived on her doorstep as some of her greatest initiators and teachers.

During this time Penny studied with and began to adapt, the work of Cross Cultural Anthropologist and teacher, Angeles Arrien (www.angelesarrien.com) who introduced her to the Four Fold Way and the Cross Cultural Healing Salves of singing, dancing, storytelling and silence, which became integral to all her gatherings.

Intuitively called to explore what she calls “primordial wisdom” Penny has traveled to Mexico, to participate in Day of the Dead rituals, to Ecuador to be with the Achuar people of the Rainforest; to receive their message and learn of their collaboration with the dream of the western world at this time (www.pachamama.org). In Indonesia she experienced the artistry and ceremony of everyday life and has walked with the people of Ghana, Guatemala, Venezuela and Malaysia.

Landing in her own backyard and body, Penny discovered we are all “indigenous beings”. Her landing inspired further explorations in how our primordial wisdom is supported or suppressed, along with how our birth process and the primal health period (conception to age 3) is a potent time of imprinting and a time when we are seeded with potential for our life’s journey.

Penny’s passion to open to the infinite possibilities there are for living a sustainable and embodied life and to reclaim the indigenous wisdom within, have called her to study with Susan Harper of Continuum Montage, (www.continuummontage.com) Emilie Conrad the founder of Continuum Movement (www.continuummovement.com) Caryn McHose (author of How Life Moves) as well as the combined work of Susan Harper and Hubert Godard, Portals of Perception. As an Authorized Continuum Teacher, Penny considers Continuum Movement to be an integral part of her practice and offerings. Penny’s deep love and respect for the land, and her ongoing apprenticeship with the natural world continue to inform and infuse her work.

Penny offers explorations in Painting from the Inside Out, a process oriented exploration, using movement, breath, paint, and paper, which unfolded over a seven year exploration of her own to find ways to express the un-expressible. Penny believes creativity and all of the expressive arts are the healing salves we need to deepen our embodiment, our character and our soul development. They are what offer us hope for the future of humanity and the planet.

Penny lives on six and a half acres of land called Paradise Found, with her partner of 19 years, John, dog Alex, feline friend Simba, and two Equine Guides, Kal and Dancer. Penny has been stepmother to Johnathan and Sean for 19 years, and considers them two of the greatest gifts in her life.

Testamonials
Penny Allport performed magic at Loon Lake this past weekend. The Integrative Energy Healing Alumni invited her to give a Continuum workshop at its annual Alumni Reunion Retreat. Penny gently introduced us to the practice of Continuum, creating a sacred space within which we could experience a new way of embodiment. Through demonstration and guided exercises, she helped us to feel the difference between our body “in action” and “in being”. By the end of the day, participants were moving in the rhythm of the universe, discovering the flow and fabric of the body, and the connection between all. Penny’s depth of knowledge, her enthusiasm, caring and creative expression, contributed greatly towards the success of our weekend retreat.
IEH Alumni Committee
September 2008

Seldom in my journey have I encountered anyone who lives their life in such total alignment with their core beliefs and values. Simply by the way she lives her life as an example, Penny calls all of us to our true potential and greatness. Penny's sense of community is what sets her apart. Since her early days as a yoga instructor and bookstore owner she has created a multitude of circles that continue to ripple out into the larger community touching many people. Penny's passion for learning and acquiring knowledge and wisdom has never been something she kept to herself. She has travelled the world, sometimes taking groups of women with her, to bring back that knowledge and wisdom and weave it into her teachings and gatherings.

Penny has a deep intuitive gift that she listens to and follows with enormous trust. This gift is apparent in the work she does with private clients, her workshops, creative endeavours, community events, working with young and old ... and in her own life. Penny Allport acts as a tuning fork for the people fortunate enough to study with her and to know her. She is a living example of what it means to move beyond intellectual learning, beyond popular thinking, beyond what the mind dictates; to what it means to embody love and live deeply and with intention from the heart.
Elizabeth McNally

Thank you again for the amazing and experiential continuum workshop. I really believe it has deepened my connection to the planet as well as to the divine feminine.
Christine Brain

This inspiring woman imparts a wealth of wisdom that creates a path to understanding the human body, fluidity of movement, awareness of the senses and a sacred space in which to practice. I have been graced by 15 years of Penny's mentoring and have incorporated this experience into my Hatha Yoga teacher's practice.
Marilyn Buchanan

Through Continuum, Penny has gently placed my fingers on the latch so that I may open the window to journey into my own essence and spirituality.
Joyce Alisharan